Project to transform healthcare in Kashmir: Mehbooba
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, June 5: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo today questioned former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s review of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Awantipora project, asking under what authority it was conducted and suggesting that a “power centre in Delhi” may have been behind the exercise.
Itoo, a fierce critic of Mufti and the PDP, reacted sharply to the former Chief Minister’s visit to the project site earlier in the day.
She said some political leaders appeared to be suffering from “political amnesia” and continued to behave as though they were still in power despite having lost office in 2018.
“The elected Government today is led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. One wonders in what capacity former rulers are conducting reviews of the AIIMS Awantipora project,” Itoo said in a post on ‘X’.
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The Minister also questioned who was authorising such reviews, asking whether any “power centre in Delhi” was directing the exercise.
Itoo accused previous Governments of delaying progress on the AIIMS Awantipora project and alleged that those responsible for the slow pace of work were now attempting to claim credit for its advancement.
“The fact is that the project is moving towards completion because of the focused efforts, monitoring and commitment of the present Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,” she said.
The Minister maintained that the people of J&K were capable of distinguishing between those who delayed development projects and those ensuring their completion.
The remarks came after Mufti visited AIIMS Awantipora today and reviewed the status of the project, a key healthcare infrastructure initiative in J&K, and termed it a “dream” of her father, former chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.
During a visit to the under-construction facility, Mufti reviewed the ongoing works and said the project had witnessed delays due to various reasons but construction was now progressing smoothly.
She said AIIMS Awantipora would play a crucial role in addressing healthcare challenges in J&K and would also strengthen medical research in the region, particularly at a time when cancer cases are witnessing an increase.
“This institution is extremely important for the healthcare sector in J&K. It also has a research component, which is vital in tackling emerging health concerns,” she said.
She was accompanied by MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Parra and Rafiq Naik and other party leaders.
Mufti said the institute would generate employment opportunities through the recruitment of doctors, nurses and other staff and could emerge as a model healthcare institution in J&K.
She urged the authorities to give preference to non-technical and non-professional job aspirants from Awantipora and adjoining areas during recruitment.
“The local population should benefit from the project. Preference should be given to eligible candidates from nearby areas wherever possible,” she said.
The PDP chief said the establishment of AIIMS would accelerate the development of Awantipora and make it a major healthcare hub for J&K.
Referring to concerns raised by local residents, Mufti said some people were facing difficulties due to restrictions on construction activities in areas surrounding the project site.
She said officials informed her that the restrictions within a 500-metre radius were temporary and assured that she would take up the matter with the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
Mufti also assured support for resolving issues related to the project and said she was willing to raise matters with the Union Health Ministry whenever required.
Expressing hope that the institute would be completed within the next two years, she said its early completion would ensure better healthcare facilities for the people of J&K.
“I am happy with the progress because this project was the dream of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. It should now be completed within the next two years so that the people of J&K can benefit,” she said.
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